I Dreamed A Dream

Heeeellllooo people of the internet. It’s Creative Karma back yet again here on Ink Stained Fingers.

Yes, I’m well aware that it’s not Wednesday but Thursday that I’m posting this blog. It’s taken me a while to decide what I wanted to do for this next post. I considered doing a best and worst books blog, starting to review a new series, or a number of other things.

However, none of it settled very well with me knowing that the New Year was about to turn over closing the door on 2011 and starting us through 2012.

While I haven’t done this blog all that long considering, I knew I just couldn’t pass this moment up to set up my resolutions for the next year. This year I’m going to make different ones. I’m not going to set goals that I think I should reach like dropping enough pounds to wear size 12 pants or finding a boyfriend.

Thing like that will all come in their own time and the pressure of a resolution tends to make me less willing to do so.

So this year, I’m going for resolutions I know I can accomplish and to submit a challenge to everyone out there. But before I issue my challenge lets get onto my list.

In 2012 I promise to:

1)      …keep up with my book review blog, writing blog, and drawing blog whether or not anyone ever reads it.

2)      …not get disappointed when my job search doesn’t find me a job right away.

3)      …keep searching for a job like I’m getting paid to do so.

4)      …dedicate a part of my time to working on the various unfinished stories sitting on my shelf.

5)      …make plans to save as much money as possible so I can go do things I want to do, like seeing my friend and long lost sister TheCinemaChic.

6)      …read a new book that’s not what I would normally pick for myself.

7)      …have those serious conversations with people instead of just letting things slide.

So there it is ladies and gentlemen. Like I said, I’m not going for loosing 50lbs. I’m not looking to beat some kind of addiction like my addiction to coca-cola. Not really but that stuff is hard to live without.

Now for my challenge, this year I want all of you out there to make a similar list of resolutions. Things you’ve already planned to do. Things that aren’t trying to change a major part of your life. It can be a small list or a huge one. But don’t look to change the world or major aspects of your life. Those will change all in good time.

My thought in this being, just maybe, if we took care of all the little things that seem to get in the way of the big things that the big things will resolve themselves without our notice. It’s funny what can be accomplished when you aren’t so worried about it anymore.

That’s my challenge to all of you that read this. Pass this on to your friends and family or anyone that you think this would be a good idea for.

I hope all of you had a great holiday weekend and have an even greater New Years. Here’s hoping all of your dreams and resolutions come true.

This is Creative Karma quoting Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

It's Not Easy Being Green

Welcome back to Ink Stained Fingers. The place were books of all types are reviewed.

Like with all my other reviews, I delve into how well the book deals with the message it’s trying to bring across, whether or not the message comes across well, and how the characters are used towards that goal while keeping the reader’s interest along the way.

Now while I was doing last minute shopping and wrapping my presents for Christmas, two things occurred to me. One, I hadn’t done a review this week. And two, that with Christmas nearly here it would be a good idea to review a Christmas story.

But which one? There are new ones coming out every year so picking one was a bit of a challenge.

However, I decided to go back to an old classic that’s been the subject of a couple of movies thus far, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Most kids grew up with this story and became so popular that it warranted not only a cartoon version of the story but a live action one as well. This fact alone made the choice of reviewing such an iconic book to be a choice I should have easily picked up on. Not one of my brightest moments.

Now, most of you might all ready know that this book rhymes the whole way through. So, why am I not following in that tradition for the review? To put it simply, that would take a little more effort than would be pretty.

So, laziness aside, let’s take a look at the story How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Now, I’m starting this off a bit differently by looking at the cover of the book. The main reason for that being that this is a story with pictures unlike the other books I’ve reviewed so far. The fact that there are pictures would normally lean it towards a younger audience.

However, the story inside presents an idea all ages can use.

I find that this Christmas story is the best one of all time especially with the way our economy is currently going.

By the title it’s easy to tell that the character known as the Grinch hates Christmas. Even though it doesn’t tell us why in the book I find that it’s not necessary to the plot.

Yes, the live action movie version came up with an idea as to why the Grinch hates Christmas. However, I feel this isn’t necessary. It lessens the importance of the message that this story is trying to tell. Especially since the live action movie makes the Whos of Who-ville into greedy and self serving creatures.

The story itself talks about the Grinch and…well…how he stole Christmas from a group of people known as the Whos. And no this is not the band.

And this is were comes the smartest idea by the Grinch. He dresses up like Santa Claus, makes his dog Max look like a reindeer, and builds a sleigh to carry everything. This way he doesn’t arouse suspicion if he were to be seen. Then, through various rhymes, it describes the things he steals from the Whos like their stockings, presents, lights, trees and even food. He loads all of this stuff up into a sleigh.

Now, one might wonder where this is all leading to. Yes, we have a group of creatures called the Whos who love Christmas and a Grinch who hates Christmas and wants to steal it from them because…he hates it… Seems like a circular argument. Where could this possibly go?

Only to the best message about Christmas ever.

The message that Christmas isn’t about what you give or receive but about coming together with people you love and spending time together. This is the lesson that the Grinch learns when he listens from the top of mount Crumpet for the sound of sadness but hears the Whos still celebrating despite having nothing.

That’s when his heart opens up to the idea that Christmas isn’t about possessions but about family and togetherness. This is a message that is sadly lost in today’s society. That’s why this story can last throughout time and the same meaning can be learned by generations to come.

So of course, we have to have a happy ending with the Grinch bringing everything back and celebrating Christmas with the Whos.

But it’s the message that’s important here. The pictures  give a great visual of the actions of the Grinch and even shows us what the Whos look like. Naturally, its usually a story that parents read to their children but I believe that any person, no matter what age they are, should read this story.

The story is well thought out. It sticks with the message it was trying to get across and does it in a way that anyone can understand. The pictures keep the reader interested and offers another level to the story.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a timeless story that will never go away. I have a feeling that this story might have people trying to re-do it in the future in e-books and other movies but it’s perfect just the way it is. No one can make it any better than it all ready is.

This story is definitely one of my favorite stories of all time. If you haven’t read this book yet then apparently you’ve been living under a rock and you simply are unaware this exists. So get out from under the rock and go pick up this classic Christmas story.

Well, that’s all from this reviewer. Christmas is just around the corner and I’m ready to meet together with all my family and friends.

I hope everyone has the best Christmas, Felix Navidad, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or whatever it is that you celebrate around this time of the year.

This is Creative Karma saying never lose that love of books.

Vampire Hell!

**BEWARE ALL WHO ENTER HERE**

*If you read on in this review there will be spoilers for the book*

Hello there and welcome back to Ink Stained Fingers where I review the books that I love hate and everything in between.

As you all know, I’ve been working my way though a vampire frenzy. All this brought about by the showing of the movie Breaking Dawn Part 1 that has hit the theaters like a whirlwind.

Granted, I have not yet seen the movie myself but I know I have super high expectations of it. So far the series in movie form has been less than impressive and there are many things I would’ve changed or not done at all.

But this isn’t the place where movies are reviewed, this is for books. Unlike the theater, I’m going to review all of Breaking Dawn the book at the same time. There is just no feasible away for me to break it up into two parts like the movie when I haven’t seen it yet.

Oh sure, I could scour the internet for the movie and figure that out but that would ruin the movie going experience.

So, let’s dive right into the fourth installment of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn.

This series has taken the route of many book series for this age bracket. Breaking Dawn is no exception to the rule. The books are getting longer and longer as the series progresses. Look at Harry Potter. Seems people are playing copy-cat.

Breaking Dawn is finally the book where everything comes to a head. We know we have a wedding, a honeymoon, and Bella becoming a vampire to get to so in a way it does make sense for the book to be a little hefty.

However, this book takes a different approach than the typical series ender. The book is split up into three “sections”. The book starts off in Bella’s perspective as the whole series has been. However, after the honeymoon is over, it switches over to Jacob’s perspective and then later back to Bella’s when she wakes up as a vampire.

Why was this done you may ask? Now, I’m not all together sure. I’m sure there is some reason out there on the net from the author herself. But I feel that this was done because of the way the events unfold in the story itself. It allows for a time lapse between the honeymoon  and their return as well as for the days that Bella is unconscious. Also, there are emotions expressed and explained about the situations that arise that normally would never have been shown to the readers.

This is a great way to slide that into play as well as something new and different. I personally enjoy seeing how the events are really affecting Jacob. We have what Bella thinks but most of the time those turn up to be wrong and it’s just not as moving or heart wrenching.

The wedding itself is done really well. You’ve got great description, the characters interacting more with each other than they ever did in the other three books. I may not be one for uber romantic moments but having a wedding at one’s house with the party outside…now that’s something I can jump on board with. Even this tomboy had to admit being a hopeless romantic.

Now, the honeymoon. Here is where things are simply not what I expected them to be. The honeymoon, believe it or not, was Bella’s idea. NOT Edward’s despite the fact he wanted to marry her in exchange for being the one to turn her. Odd yes?

Well, he had a good reason. We all know vampires are super strong and they have to work not to break things around them simply because they don’t know their own strength. What usually happens on a honeymoon boy and girls? Sex. Edward is afraid that he will hurt her however, he makes the choice to give this a try. Apparently, he is easily won over by Bella’s award winning arguments.

Before every gets all squeamish, the book never goes into details about Edward and Bella having sex. It was kept very carefully in a range that would at least be acceptable for teens. I still wonder what parents think it’s all right for their 10 and 11 year old girls to be reading things like this.

However, the honeymoon is not talking about in much detail after this simply because Edward finally gains back his nerve after breaking the bed they had sex in. Oh, we get Bella constantly trying for more, which she does get actually. However, nothing else is in much detail. Just small summaries of things they do while on their honeymoon.

Here comes a spoiler so avert your eyes.

The honeymoon has to end abruptly because apparently Edward is a stud. Apparently, they were completely wrong about vampires being unable to reproduce because Bella becomes pregnant. Not knowing what to do they have to race home.

However, Bella knows that they will try and get rid of her baby and the one thing that Rose said would happen happens. Bella wants to keep her child. She suddenly has maternal instincts.

Now, this is the point I want to backtrack a bit for a bit of a rant. I completely understand wanting to have a honeymoon because you get married to someone. However, the fact that she doesn’t want to be turned till she has sex with Edward seems like a complete 180 to her need to become a vampire as soon as possible. Where did that come from? Did Rose’s talk with Bella have that effect? If it didn’t why care about having sex before you are turned into a vampire?

Some of my friend have pointed out this very thing. Seems odd to not be worried about the fact that having sex with your husband could end your life or make things very uncomfortable for a long time. And for crying out loud it’s your honeymoon. You can stay on it as long as you want because they OWN the friggin island that you are staying on. So, get changed into a vampire, wait the three days and then have sex with your husband all you want. To me it seems more logical to get over not being around humans sooner rather than later. Despite the fact that this is a plot device it doesn’t make a lot of sense in the long run.

I digress.

The story changes pace and tells the story onward in Jacob Blacks point of view. This is one of the more effective tools that they have used in this entire series. The reader gets to witness more pain and anguish than the other characters get to see and we see and hear it from a person other than Bella.

It’s in this perspective that we see Bella have complications while having her baby that was killing her the majority of the time. Edward and the others fight to save her and the baby.

After all of this, then we switch back to Bella’s point of view when she wakes up. Edward had saved her by turning her and helping to deliver the baby while the other were out. It’s here were Bella defies the odds and isn’t rampaging for blood from every place she can get it from.

Despite the good vibes they have going that they could end this series on they bring in the last drama with the Volturi. Even though Bella is human, her child looks more like the new borns that the Volturi fought to rid from the South when they were being used to fight in vampire wars. This brings them back into the Volturi’s attention and so the Cullen’s now need every vampire they know on their side to prove this isn’t a new born.

Now, I personally think they should have ended the series with the arrival of Bella’s baby. It doesn’t make sense to me to throw this in at the last moment and force another confrontation out of this book. Even though they wanted to have some heavy moment at the end of the book where they have to face off with the Volturi, it really seems to fall flat. There’s no grand battle, there’s no punishment, there’s barely even stress because of impending possible doom.

It’s rather disappointing to add something like this in at the end of the book and not fully commit to the moment. They just give us something that’s more for show than to actually give the big finish they had hoped for. Everything just ends happily ever after.

This book has its highs and lows in my book. If I had to rate this book against the others it’d only come in third place. While there are some beautiful scene likes the wedding and the change in point of view to give the readers another angle on the story, my problem is the rest of the story.

The rest of the story seems jammed in there, it doesn’t flow very well, and the ending was not only rushed but a serious let down. Bella’s actions don’t make any sense and Edward looks like a push over to whatever Bella wants from him.

The series as a whole feels like, to me, that they could have separated this up into more books than just four. The author would have given herself much more room to expand on various aspects of the characters and more breathing room to really get the story across.

In the last review, I rated Eclipse against the other books and said it was number one in my head and that’s just as true now. The books in order of best to worst, for me, are as follows: Eclipse, Twilight, Breaking Dawn, and finally New Moon.

While this book isn’t as good as it should be; it still wraps up every loose end which is more than I can say for other books out there. While there may be a few plot holes in the series they are rather light and don’t add anything more to the story if they had been added.

Breaking Dawn is the end of the Twilight Saga for good unless the rumors of creating the series again from Edward’s point of view appear on the shelves.

My final analysis: while the book isn’t great it does its job well. It moves us from the last days of Bella’s life as a human into her vampire years. It wraps the family up in a nice little package that seems like they will never have a problem ever again. Every member of the family now has a husband or a wife so there won’t be anyone else joining the family unless they come across some murder or other later. The book needs to be read if for no other reason alone except for ending out the series.

While I’m not a fan of the white picked fence look, it’s the way the author chooses to end her story so I don’t really have room to gripe.

All in all, if you just like reading about different ways to look at vampires then this series is for you. If you like mushy romances, then this series is also for you. However, if you don’t like either then I would suggest to turn around and start running especially if you don’t think vampires should sparkle in the sun like a human disco ball.

And this ends the Twilight Saga book reviews.

Hope you enjoyed our little roller coaster ride through the vampire as viewed by Stephanie Meyer.

Until next time, I’m Creative Karma and the next time you see me I might be reviewing your favorite book.

Round Three, Fight!

Hellooo, all those out there on the web. This is Creative Karma and I’m back again for another book review.

For those of you that have been keeping up with my book reviewing, you’ll know I’ve been shamelessly playing into the Twilight saga that is rampant in our movie theaters. And, of course, giving the birth of a new phenomena known as the “Twilight Mom”. It’s a little sad to me that now they actually have stickers of that slogan for sticking in the window of your car. Yes, I’ve seen it myself and no I don’t know where they got them from. I really don’t wanna know.

Besides, this is a book review blog. Not a movie review blog. We are now one review away from diving away into book Breaking Dawn in which part one is now being shown in theaters. The book separating us from present day hysteria is Eclipse.

Now, while most people have their favorites elsewhere in the series, I personally finally Eclipse to be the best book of the series.

Why you may ask? Well, let’s delve into the book and see why. Here is Eclipse.

This book may have some of the same elements as in the other books but Eclipse is one of those books that doesn’t make it just about Bella, Edward and Jacob. While many screaming fan girls out there yelling at me, I may have been drawn into the romance to a degree but I just never found Edward or Jacob as the kind of guys that I’d want to spend my time with.

In this book, we actually get some insight into the characters that have been pretty much ignored the rest of the series. Namely, Jasper and Rosalie Hale. I appreciate that this is the place where we finally get to know these characters and appreciate them for what they’ve been through that made them who they are.

If it had been me, I would have done this much sooner. It would have given the readers a chance to see what each member of the family brings to the table. However, I can see the need to keep holding this off so we can have a big reveal.

Most of my friends know about my love for Jasper in this series. Here is the book were Jasper is pulled from the background of one or two lines and is made center stage. I won’t delve into too much here. However, this shows to us why Jasper has it the hardest of all the Cullen clan.

In my mind, Jasper is the ultimate example of dealing with the issues you have and never backing down. He doesn’t simply give up and in to his urges but goes to battle against them everyday. If he doesn’t give in, then he’s made an accomplishment. Something to be proud of and strive to get better at doing. Also, we are shown that Jasper has more inner strength and knowledge and power than the readers would have given him credit for. Jasper is the one that brings the knowledge to the table about newborns and the history of making the strongest type of vampire into an army.

Newborns are what vampires are in the first days and weeks of life as a vampire. They are stronger and faster. However, they don’t have the self control of a vampire that has been around for a few years or centuries.

Now, I know they segway this into talking about the fact Bella will most likely be like that when she is changed into a vampire. However, without Jasper’s knowledge and skill Bella wouldn’t be alive to become a vampire in the first place.

Now, onto Rosalie. While most people would dislike her for her attitude towards…pretty much everyone, we learn that it’s not for some superficial reason like most teen pretty girls. Keep in mind, she hasn’t been a teenager for years. Her reasons for not liking Bella aren’t because she’s human but because she’s so willing to give up being human.

To me, that’s a more than logical way for SOMEONE to feel about someone giving up all chances for a person to have a good life. Since Bella doesn’t even remotely have feelings linked to that then someone needed to.

Rosalie becomes the voice of reason. Someone who really makes Bella think about what she is giving up. The ability to have kids, to grow old and watch those kids have grandkids and going out to do all the wonderful things that vampires can’t do because of what they are. We know that they even hide away when it’s sunny outside so that means no more lounging on the beach. Bella couldn’t go back and visit her mom because of that very thing. It’d be more than suspicious that she’d never step outside.

These two characters balance out the others and bring a more down to earth feel to this story. They keep the audience grounded and remind them that there is far more to the story than just being a romance novel in a weird love triangle. If it was only about love then there isn’t a reason for all the added drama. This means to me that while the series features a love triangle between three very different people that this series isn’t just a love story.

It features the much deeper emotions and conditions that brought various and highly different individuals together to face these problems all together. Without each individual in the Cullen family and the pack of wolves that all come together for the sake of another, then Bella wouldn’t get to dream of a happy ending with Edward. She would have died in the first book or been on the run.

These things aside, this is the book where everything comes to a head with Victoria and her newest companion Riley. This book becomes more a tale of revenge and triumph over evil than the love triangle story that somehow runs along in the background without interruptions.

It seems only logical that all this tension being built up so bring about an epic fight scene. Where we didn’t get it with James and Edward, we get it here. I will say this for the movie, they did an amazing job of bringing the fight scene to life. You don’t get much a sense of it from the book but you get Edward’s dialogue of what is happening. I would have liked this scene better if they actually had jumped down into the fight scene that was going on below them at least from an omnipresent perspective.

However, once the fight is over, the drama isn’t. The Volturi arrive on the scene leading them to realize that they knew damn well what was going on and let it happen. Of course, no one calls them out on this directly but through sly turns of phrase.

Once they give another warning about the fact Bella is still human, the Cullen’s know they have to watch their backs and Bella’s even closer now that the time is drawing nearer to her impending change after her graduation from high school.

The story ends as we finally pick back up the events that happened in the last book. If you remember, Edward offered to change her sooner if she would agree to marry him. Apparently, she has constantly kept him at bay on that subject not wanting to get married. Then again, it was Edward’s goal for her to put off turning into a vampire as long as she could. Even though it is planned for after graduation, he’s still getting his way and showing her that there is still one thing that stands between her and becoming a vampire.

Here’s a thought, if Bella wanted to become a vampire so badly then why not take him up on it? Isn’t it usually the girl who is asking for this sort of thing and the guy that is completely against it? It’s a nice role reversal and cunning device by Edward. He finally gets some points on the board in my book.

However, Bella seems to have been thinking about the offer and, before the battle against the newborns, had finally agreed to marry Edward in exchange for him being the one to turn her into a vampire. So far everyone in her life, save for the Cullens has been unaware of this change in plans for Bella because she hasn’t been wearing the ring.

The story closes on them attempting a more dangerous mission than dealing with newborns…telling Charlie about the engagement.

Now, while this may seem corny and silly it’s something to think about. In the previous books, Charlie has been given a more and more prominent role in his reactions to what Bella is doing. Many times we don’t see him actually punishing her while other times we hear his loud yelling and raving over Bella’s stupid actions that get revealed.

I personally would have loved a little side story at the end of the book to see Charlie’s reaction to her declaring she is getting married to Edward. In the back of my mind, I know that Edward is definitely not Charlie’s favorite person in the world. Who could blame him?

While the ending is rather anti-climatic, it’s the story in the middle that we are meant to remember. Everything from the funny to the action and the drama and even the telling of the most revealing stories in the entire series.

I have to say, I still get a chuckle every time I read about Bells talking with Emmett about how she didn’t break her hand by falling down but by punching a wolf in the face. It’s such an Emmett moment.

All in all, I love this book. This is one of those books that I find hard to let go of when the last page is turned over. Why? Because this book is not just about Edward or Bella or Jacob or some combo of the three. It’s about everyone. Jasper finally gets to stand center stage and we find out that he can more than hold his own which is a huge change from the “boy that looks like he is in pain” from the first book. Rosalie becomes an actual human being to the reader when we really get to understand what is behind the very actions that is against Bella joining the Cullen family.

Who would have thought that Rosalie is the voice of reason? I sure didn’t.

So while you my have the hots for Jacob or Edward, give this book a fair try and just maybe you’ll find that there are other characters that are far more relatable than an emo vampire and a jealous werewolf.

Keep it tuned in to this site as next week I will finally tackle Breaking Dawn.

Until then, I’m Creative Karma and the next time you see me I might be reviewing your favorite book.